Real Madrid vs Shakhtar Donetsk: Predictions, odds & betting tips

The top scoring side in La Liga should be able to rack up the goals once more when they face a side they clearly got the better of two weeks ago

Real Madrid welcome Shakhtar Donetsk to the Santiago Bernabeu on Wednesday night in Group D of the Champions League, with Carlo Ancelotti's men aiming to get back to winning ways in front of their own fans.

Their last home European game saw them suffer a shock defeat at the hands of Sheriff Tiraspol, while their last two home matches in La Liga have ended in goalless draws against Villarreal and Osasuna, respectively.

Real Madrid vs Shakhtar Donetsk latest odds

Real Madrid recorded a 5-0 win in Ukraine on matchday three, comfortably overcoming Shakhtar and they are overwhelming favourites to pick up another three points, offered at 2/9 (1.22) with bet365.

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Roberto De Zerbi's side notched a famous win when they travelled to Madrid in last season's competition, beating the 13-time European champions 3-2, and Shakhtar are priced at 12/1 (13.00) with the draw at 11/2 (6.50).

Real Madrid vs Shakhtar Donetsk first goalscorer

Karim Benzema missed the weekend win over Elche in La Liga but could yet feature having returned to training on Monday.

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The Frenchman is the favourite to break the deadlock at 12/5 (3.40) ahead of in-form Vinicius Junior who scored twice on Saturday in Benzema's absence.

The Brazilian is offered at 9/2 (5.50) while, elsewhere in the market, Marco Asensio is on offer at 13/2 (7.50).

Shakhtar are yet to score a goal in the competition and Lassina Traore is available at 14/1 (15.00) to open the scoring on Wednesday night.

Real Madrid vs Shakhtar Donetsk preview

It took a while for Madrid to open up Shakhtar two weeks ago, but when the first goal came the others quickly followed.

The 5-0 thrashing is one of several high-scoring victories that Ancelotti's men have enjoyed this season with Celta Vigo beaten 5-2, Mallorca 6-1 and Alaves 4-1, although the side have in other matches failed to take their chances.

Nevertheless, overall Madrid look sharper in the final third this term than in previous seasons and the form of Vinicus Junior goes some way to explaining that improvement in front of goal.

Facing a team devoid of confidence against whom they scored five times recently, Real Madrid should be backed to get among the goals once again.